Floor-jack.



A. 'JUNKER.

FLOOR JACK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.13', 1908.

I aPatented Nqv.23,1909.

AUGUST J UNKER, HOLLOWAY, MINNESOTA.

FLOOR-JACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

Application filed August 13, 1908. Serial No. 448,445.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST JUNKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holloway, in the county of Swift and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful F loor-J ack, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in floor jacks of that type utilized for forcing floor boards together.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction and can be readily operated by one man, means being provided whereby the device can be locked in holding position until the board shifted thereby has been secured.

A further object is to provide a device of this character the various parts of which can be readily disconnected for the purpose of repairing or replacing them, saiddevice being also provided with means whereby it can be used for placing in position either the first or the second flooring.

/Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in position for holding the boards of the second flooring in position while being nailed. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the jaw member of said device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of tool for use in holding the boards constituting the first flooring while they are being nailed in place. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the jaw designed to be used in connection with said modified form.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates an elongated lever having a series of notches 22 in one edge, there being a fork 2 at one end of the lever, said fork being widened at its outer end as indicated at 3. An arm 11 is pivot-ally mounted as at 13 within the inner or reduced portion of the fork, and the other end of said arm is provided with a prong 12 extending at an angle therefrom. Guide strips 18 are pivotally connected to opposite faces of the prong and extend through the enlarged portion 3 of the fork, there being longitudinal slots 19 within those portions of the guide strips located within the fork and also within said strips at points adjacent the prong 12. A bolt 16 extends transversely through the enlarged portion '3 of the fork 2, and also through the adjoining slots within the guide strips 18, and this bolt constitutes means for supporting the fiat stem 14 of a jaw 15. A transversely extending bolt 20 also extends through the stem 14 near its free end and is mounted toslide within those of the slots 19 located adjacent the prong 12. v By mounting the stem 14 in this manner it will be apparent that the same is capable of moving longitudinally with relation to the guide strips 18,

so that injury to said tongue will thus be avoided. A rod 21 is pivotally connected to the arm 11 close to prong 12 and has a loop at its free end which extends around the lever 1 and is designed to be seated in any one of the notches 22 for the purpose of locking the parts in fixed relation after the proper clamping action has been obtained.

In using the device herein described the prong 12 is driven into a joist as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the free ends of the guide strips 18 will lie close to the board to be contracted by the tool. The jaw 15 is placed against the edge of said board and the lever 1 is then swung backward with the bolt 13 as a fulcrum. The fork 2 will thus force the stem 14 longitudinally with rela tion to the strips 18 and the flooring strips will therefore be clamped tightly together. After the desired movement of lever 1 has been efiected the link 21 is shifted into engagement with one of the notches 22 so as to hold the lever fixed relative to the arm 11 and prevent the jaw 15 from moving back to its initial position. While the parts are thus held the workman can nail the boards in place.

By providing certain auxiliary attachments for the tool the same can also be used for placing the first flooring in position. In order to adapt the tool for this purpose it is necessary to provide a hooked arm 7, the prong 8 of which is directed inwardly as indicated in Fig. 3, there being an OK- set portion at the inner end of the arm 7 which is lapped by a strap 10, said strap and off-set portion being pivotally attached to the lever l. The end of this lever can be inserted into a socket member 4:, extending from a jaw 5, any suitable means, such as a bolt 6 being provided for locking the socket member upon the lever.

It will be seen that the tool constructed departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

Y Vhat is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a lever, a pronged arm pivotally connected thereto, said pivot constituting the fulcrum of the lever, a guide strip pivotally connected to said arm and supported by the lever, a jaw movable with the said lever, and means movable with the jaw and cooperating with the guide strip for guiding the jaw during the IDOVBHIGDlIthGIGOf.

2. A device of the class descrlbed comprising a lever, a pronged arm extending therefrom and pivotally connected thereto,

said pivot constituting the fulcrum of the lever, a guide strip pivotally connected to the pronged arm, said strip being partly supported by and movably connected to the lever, a jaw, and means extending from the jaw and slidably mounted upon the guide strip for transmitting motion from the lever to the jaw.

3. A device of the class described comprising a lever, a pronged arm pivotally connected thereto, said pivot constituting the fulcrum of the lever, guide strips pivotally connected to the pronged arm and slidably engaged by the lever, a jaw movable with said lever and guiding devices movable with the jaw and slidably engaging the guide strips.

4. A device of the class described compris of the lever, means upon the arm for adjustably engaging the lever to hold said lever at a predetermined angle to the arm, longitudinally slotted guide strips pivotally connected to the pronged arm, means upon the lever for slidably engaging said strips, a jaw, a stem extending therefrom and between the guide strips, and means extending from the stem and slidably mounted within the guide strips for guiding said stem during its movement, one of said means being attached to the lever.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST J UNKER.

Witnesses:

FLOYD MAXWELL, ERNEST LUECKE. 

